Nosocomial spread of viral disease

Viruses are important causes of nosocomial infection, but the fact that hos pital outbreaks often result from introduction(s) from community-bared epid emics, together with the need to initiate specific laboratory testing means that there are usually insufficient data to allow the monitoring of trends in incidences. The most important defenses against nosocomial transmission of viruses are detailed and continuing education of staff and strict adher ence to infection control policies. Protocols mast be available to assist i n the management of patients with suspected ol confirmed viral infection in the health care setting m this review, we present details on general measu res to prevent the spread of viral infection in hospitals and other health care environments. These include principles of accommodation of infected pa tients and approaches to good hygiene and patient management. They provide detail on individual viral diseases accompanied in each case with specific information on control of the infection and, where appropriate, details of preventive and therapeutic measures. The important areas of nosocomial infe ction due to blood-borne viruses have been extensively reviewed previously and ar-e summarized here briefly, with citation of selected review articles . Human prion diseases, which present management problems very different fr om those of viral infection, are not included.